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Ten-Year Network Development Plan 2017 Main Report
Image courtesy of Gascade
Foreword
I am honoured to preface this fifth edition of the Union-
wide Ten-Year Network Development Plan. I have been
a privileged witness of its continuous improvement
since the first edition. With each edition ENTSOG
endeavours to deepen its analysis, fitting it in the
evolving European energy and climate framework.
I truly believe that the Ten-Year Network Development
Plans delivers real added-value to a wide range of
stakeholder and decision-makers.
Important steps have been taken over the last months and weeks which will play a
key role for the European energy sector. In terms of market functioning, the adop-
tion in Comitology of the Tariffs Network Code and amendments to Capacity Alloca-
tion Management (CAM) Network Code completed the set of gas network codes,
whose implementation will greatly support the completion of the Internal Energy
Market. In terms of climate and energy policy, the COP21 Paris Agreement, aiming
at strengthening the global response to the climate change challenges, entered into
force on 4 November 2016. In follow up of this agreement, the European Commis-
sion has identified as a priority the implementation of the EU 2030 climate and
energy policy framework, agreed by the European Council in October 2014. The
European Commission has also published its proposal for “Clean Energy for all
Europeans” on 30 November 2016, with new ambitious goals for the European en-
ergy development.
It is paramount that policy and decision-makers consider the European gas infra-
structure in the perspective of the completion of the Internal Energy Market and the
contributions it can bring to the achievement of the European climate and energy
policy. The European gas infrastructure has seen decades of development and the
existing infrastructure already ensures a high level of market integration across most
of Europe. The gas transmission infrastructure, LNG terminals and gas storages
provide safe, reliable and affordable low carbon energy to European citizens.